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We finished our meal in silence, the weight of her anger a boulder between us. As we walked back to the hotel, I reached for her hand. She pulled it away, and I had to take it by force.
“I know this is scary shit,” I said. “But we can get through it. Together.” I kissed her hand.
Maren took it and tucked her hands in her pockets. She wasn’t speaking to me.
In the hotel, Maren seemed lost in her own thoughts. We showered separately. Her anger was palatable. There was no way we would be having sex. The long ride had drained me, anyhow. As we climbed into a single King-sized bed, I pulled her close and clung to her. She turned around in my arms, her back to me. I spooned her.
“You can’t do this to me. Stay angry. Talk to me,” I whispered into her wet hair. She hadn’t dried it, something she always liked to do.
“I don’t want to talk. Listen, I took my meds late today since you didn’t pack them.”
“You didn’t say. I didn’t find them.”
“I keep them hidden in my bedroom at home. I had a lot of company over and didn’t need my bikers thinking I was nuts again.”
“I didn’t know. I’m sorry,” I tried.
“You lying has gotten the better of me. It really hurt considering you came all the way to Texas to kill me because you thought I lied,” she said, sounding angry again. “Just let me be angry. It’ll pass.”
“Maren, I’m so sorry. I’m sworn to secrecy.”
“Even to the woman you say you want to marry?” she asked.
“You more than anyone know how it works,” I said.
“Do I? I was betraying my club for you.”
“I can’t put you in danger by telling you anymore.”
“It’s fine. I understand. I need to sleep,” she said.
I kissed her ear. “Just know I love you.”
I could feel her body tense. She was still pissed. I couldn’t blame her. I made a decision that affected us without consulting her but had no other choice. We had been running out of time and options.
Listening to the heavy breaths of Maren falling fast asleep, I felt I was being too hard on her. The day wore her out. I fell asleep, full of worry about going to rescue my daughters.
The sun had just risen the next morning when I noticed the spot next to me was cold and empty. The sheets were ruffled where she had been lying. Panic shot through me as I quickly scanned the room for any sign of her. I ran to the bathroom to find it empty. Her clothes were gone, and the backpack was missing.
But worst of all, she was gone.
I didn’t know what to do. My mind was racing with all the possibilities of where she could have gone. Did she leave because of our fight last night? Did someone take her against her will? Or worse, did she leave me for good?
I quickly got dressed and ran out to the parking lot to see if I could find any clue as to where she went. And there, in the distance, I saw her orange Harley parked at the edge of the lot right where we left it. Relief ran through me, but it quickly dissipated as I realized she was still gone.
Out in the morning air, I searched around the lot, hoping to find her, or at least someone to ask. But there was no one outside. Nothing but the sound of the highway. Going inside, I asked the front desk clerk if they’d seen her.
“The woman who came in with you. She left just a bit ago.”
“Was she alone?”
“Yeah,” he answered, shrugging his shoulders.
“She left?” My voice conveyed my shock.
Fuck. I had no idea where to start looking for her.
Chapter 15
